Sudoku board game and method of play

ABSTRACT

A Sudoku board game and method of playing the same for keeping track of candidate numbers. The game board includes a grid of squares and a plurality of predetermined positions within each square. Each of the predetermined positions comprises a hole extending into the game board. Players play according to the rules of Sudoku, but place pegs in the holes to indicate candidate numbers. The numerical value of each peg is indicated by the predetermined position of the hole it is placed in. This method allows candidate numbers to be added to the game board quickly, and allows them to be quickly identified, which is an important strategy of Sudoku.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to Sudoku puzzles and, in particular, to a Sudoku board game and method of playing the same for keeping track of candidate numbers.

The use of Sudoku puzzles is known in the prior art. Sudoku are logic puzzles wherein a player enters numerals into a grid of squares, which often consists of a nine-by-nine grid of squares. The squares are subdivided into nine boxes, with each box containing a three-by-three grid of squares. Each puzzle begins with some of the squares already filled in with numerals. The goal is to fill in the empty squares so that the numerals 1 through 9 appear just once in every row, column, and box.

The puzzle's origin dates back to the 18th century, where Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler invented a puzzle called Latin Squares. The modern day Sudoku puzzle originated in 1979 when a grid titled “Number Place” was published in an American puzzle magazine. By the early 1980s, the puzzle was renamed Sudoku (which means “single number”) and appeared in several Japanese magazines. In 2004, the first Sudoku puzzle was published in a London newspaper. It quickly gained popularity, and is now considered to be an international craze.

To solve Sudoku puzzles, it is essential for the player to keep an accurate list of potential numbers, known as candidates, for each empty square. Two popular notations are used to keep track of candidates: subscripts and dots. In subscript notation, candidate numbers are written in the squares using subscripts. In dot notation, dots are drawn to represent candidate numbers, wherein the numerical value of each dot is determined by its position in the square.

Sudoku puzzles are widely available in printed form, including newspapers, magazines, and books. However, they are often printed as small grids, which makes them difficult to play. Therefore, it is desirable to play Sudoku on a larger format. Recently, Sudoku board games have appeared in the art, consisting of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations.

Several Sudoku board games in the related art consist of an erasable playing board and provide dry erase markers for writing candidate numbers or dots in the squares. The drawback of this method is that it can be difficult to erase candidate numbers or dots without erasing adjacent numbers or dots, and the process of dry erasing creates an undesirable dust. The player must also write numerals legibly or place dots in the correct position to avoid confusion.

Several other Sudoku board games in the related art provide small game pieces with numerals printed on them for keeping track of candidates. This method has several drawbacks. The quantity of small game pieces provided by these games (usually nine of each number) is insufficient to keep track of all the candidates. In addition, the quantity of small game pieces that can fit into a square is usually limited to four, which is insufficient to solve most puzzles. Another drawback is that the numerals are printed only on one side of the small game pieces, making them difficult to spot in a pile, especially if they are turned upside down.

Another Sudoku board game in the related art is known as Rubik's Sudoku®. It uses pegs to keep track of candidates, but has the same drawbacks mentioned above. The quantity of pegs provided (forty-five) is insufficient to keep track of all the candidates, and the quantity of pegs that can fit into a square is limited to three, which is insufficient to solve most puzzles. Another drawback is that the pegs are differentiated only by color, which makes it difficult to keep track of their numerical value.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, they do not provide an efficient method for keeping track of candidate numbers.

The inventive device includes a game board having a grid of squares and a plurality of predetermined positions within each square for keeping track of candidate numbers. Each of the predetermined positions comprises a hole extending into the game board. Players play according to the rules of Sudoku, but place pegs in the holes to indicate candidate numbers. The numerical value of each peg is indicated by the predetermined position of the hole it is placed in.

The inventive device eliminates the need for a writing instrument, thereby avoiding possible confusion caused by illegible numerals or misplaced dots. It allows pegs to be placed on the game board quickly, since time is not wasted looking for a certain numbered game piece. It provides space in each square for up to nine pegs, allowing the player to keep track of all the candidates. The inventive device allows candidate numbers and groups of candidate numbers to be quickly identified, which is an important strategy of Sudoku.

In these respects, the Sudoku board game and method of playing the same according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides a new method for keeping track of candidate numbers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of Sudoku board games now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new method for keeping track of candidate numbers which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or implied by any of the prior art Sudoku board games, either alone or in any combination thereof

To attain this, the present invention comprises a game board having a grid of squares and a plurality of predetermined positions within each square defining potential candidate numbers. Each of the predetermined positions comprises a hole extending into the game board. Players play according to the rules of Sudoku, but place pegs in the holes to indicate candidate numbers from 1 through 9. The numerical value of each peg is indicated by the predetermined position of the hole it is placed in.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new Sudoku board game and method of playing the same for keeping track of candidate numbers which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or implied by any of the prior art Sudoku board games, either alone or in any combination thereof

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new Sudoku board game and method of playing the same which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new Sudoku board game and method of playing the same which is of a durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new Sudoku board game and method of playing the same which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such game economically available to the buying public.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new Sudoku board game and method of playing the same which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new Sudoku board game and method of playing the same which includes a game board having a grid of squares and a plurality of predetermined positions within each square defining potential candidate numbers. Each of the predetermined positions comprises a hole extending into the game board. Players play according to the rules of Sudoku, but place pegs in the holes to indicate candidate numbers. The numerical value of each peg is indicated by the predetermined position of the hole it is placed in.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new Sudoku board game and method of playing the same which simplifies the process of keeping track of candidate numbers, thereby allowing the player to concentrate on the logic required to solve the puzzle.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new Sudoku board game and method of playing the same which allows candidate numbers and groups of candidate numbers to be quickly identified, which is an important strategy of Sudoku.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

Sheet 1/3—FIG. 1 is a plan view of the game board of the present invention, showing a nine-by-nine grid of squares, and nine peg holes within each square.

Sheet 2/3—FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of the present invention.

Sheet 3/3—FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pegs of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 3 thereof, a new Sudoku board game and method of playing the same embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, the Sudoku board game and method of playing the same generally comprises a game board 10 and a plurality of pegs 20. The game board 10 has eighty-one squares 12, which are arranged in a nine-by-nine grid 14. Each of the squares 12 contains nine peg holes 16, which are arranged in a three-by-three matrix 18.

Pegs 20 are placed in the peg holes 16 to indicate candidate numbers from 1 through 9. A peg 20 in the top left corner 22 of each square 12 represents a 1, and a peg 20 in the bottom right corner 24 of each square 12 represents a 9.

The pegs 20 have a top portion 26 and a bottom portion 28. The top portion 26 has a dome-shaped head which makes it easy for the player to spot on the game board 10 and pick up. The bottom portion 28 has a shape adapted to fitting in the peg holes 16. In the preferred embodiment, the pegs are made of a material that reflects light well, such as brass or chrome.

The three-by-three matrix 18 of peg holes 16 allows candidate numbers to be added to the game board 10 quickly. Players can quickly scan the rows, columns, and boxes on the game board 10 and quickly identify candidates and groups of candidates because their numerical value is indicated by the predetermined position of the pegs holes 16.

With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A method of playing a Sudoku game comprising the steps of: providing a game board, said game board having a grid of squares, each of said squares having a plurality of predetermined positions defining potential candidate numbers, each of said predetermined positions comprising a hole extending into said game board; providing a plurality of pegs; playing according to the rules of Sudoku; placing said pegs in said holes to indicate candidate numbers, the numerical value of each said peg indicated by the predetermined position of the said hole it is placed in.
 2. The method of playing a Sudoku game according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing a game board further includes: said game board having a nine-by-nine grid of squares, each of said squares having nine predetermined positions therein, said nine predetermined positions arranged in a three-by-three matrix, each of said predetermined positions comprising a hole extending into said game board;
 3. The method of playing a Sudoku game according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing a plurality of pegs further comprises: each of said pegs having a top portion and a bottom portion, each of said top portion having a dome-shaped head, each of said bottom portion having a shape adapted to fitting in said holes.
 4. A method of playing a Sudoku game comprising the steps of: providing a game board, said game board having a nine-by-nine grid of squares, each of said squares having nine predetermined positions defining potential candidate numbers, said nine predetermined positions arranged in a three-by-three matrix, each of said predetermined positions comprising a hole extending into said game board; providing a plurality of pegs, each of said pegs having a top portion and a bottom portion, each of said top portion having a dome-shaped head, each of said bottom portion having a shape adapted to fitting in said holes; playing according to the rules of Sudoku; placing said pegs in said holes to indicate candidate numbers, the numerical value of each said peg indicated by the predetermined position of the said hole it is placed in.
 5. A Sudoku game comprising: a game board, said game board having a nine-by-nine grid of squares, each of said squares having nine predetermined positions defining potential candidate numbers, said nine predetermined positions arranged in a three-by-three matrix, each of said predetermined positions comprising a hole extending into said game board; a plurality of pegs, each of said pegs having a top portion and a bottom portion, each of said top portion having a dome-shape head, each of said bottom portion having a shape adapted to fitting in said holes; wherein said player plays according to the rules of Sudoku, placing said pegs in said holes to indicate candidate numbers, the numerical value of each said peg indicated by the predetermined position of the said hole it is placed in. 